Turkey plans to ratify Finland’s NATO bid ahead of May polls -sources

ANKARA, (Reuters) - Turkey’s parliament will “highly likely” ratify Finland’s NATO accession bid before mid-April, two Turkish officials told Reuters yesterday, a day before Finnish President Sauli Niinisto visits the country.

Sweden and Finland applied last year to join the trans-Atlantic defence pact after

Russia invaded Ukraine, but faced unexpected objections from Turkey. Ankara says Stockholm harbours members of terrorist groups, which Sweden denies.

The parliaments of all 30 members of NATO have to ratify any membership bids for the alliance. Apart from Hungary, Turkey is the only member not yet to have given Finland and Sweden its green light.

A senior Turkish official told Reuters that Finland’s bid would be approved independently from that of Sweden.

Another official with knowledge of the matter said Finland’s approach to terrorist organisations was in line with Turkey’s sensitivities and that Helsinki had taken steps in that regard.

“It is highly likely that the necessary step for Finland’s NATO membership will be completed before (parliament) closes and the election is held,” the official said.

Both officials declined to be named because the discussions are not public yet.

Niinisto, who will visit Turkey on March 16-17, said he believed Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan will announce his decision concerning Finland’s NATO bid when the two meet.

“We knew that when Turkish President Erdogan on his part has made the decision concerning the ratification of Finland’s NATO membership, he wants to meet and fulfil his promise president to president,” Niinisto said in an email to Reuters.

“The Turks had hoped I would be there in person to receive the decision,” he added.